Community Services Program Standards Guide

2026/27 | Conestoga College

Community Services

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Program Standards Overview

There are three areas of conduct that students are expected to adhere to. They are outlined as follows: Professional Conduct, Academic Conduct, and Social/Behavioural Conduct.

Throughout their program of studies, students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and apply themselves to academic achievement.
  •  Students are required to uphold and promote the ethical standards of the program and the profession.
  •  Students are responsible to protect the integrity of their program and the college community by identifying students who are dishonest and/or violate the standards.
  •  Students are expected to seek clarification from Faculty or administration when unsure of any of these standards.

Early Child Educator and Child Development Practitioner Programs

The College of Early Childhood Educators

Your Early Childhood Education Diploma from Conestoga College is the educational requirement necessary for entry into the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) in Ontario. Like nurses, physicians, teachers, dieticians, pharmacists, psychologists, and other professionals, early childhood educators are regulated by a self-regulatory college. Regulation of early childhood educators protects the public and ensures that early childhood education services will be performed safely and competently by qualified professionals.

Once you graduate, you must apply for membership in the College and be registered if you wish to use the title of "Early Childhood Educator" (ECE) or "Registered Early Childhood Educator" (RECE) or if you wish to engage in the practice of early childhood education or hold yourself out as able to do so.

For more information about the College of Early Childhood Educators, or to download an application, please visit their website.

Program Beliefs

Our Beliefs about Children, their Development and Learning

We believe that:

  • Early development sets the foundation for life-long learning, behaviour, and health
  • Children are active participants in the learning process
  • Children are competent, curious, and motivated learners
  • Children are individuals who begin to make sense of their world from the moment they are born
  • Children develop and learn best in a supportive environment that includes a balance of child-guided and teacher-guided experiences
  • Play and creativity are the foundations for a quality program for children
  • Individuality must be respected and accommodated at all times
  • All parts of the program, from the moment the children come into the program until the moment they leave, contribute equally to curriculum
  • The holistic development of individual children and groups of children is respected and accommodated
  • The education, learning and care of young children involves a partnership with each child's family within the context of community
  • Each child can best be understood within the context of that child's family and community,
  • Children's development of positive self-esteem is fundamental to healthy growth and development, and optimal learning.

Our Beliefs about Those Who Care and Educate Children

We believe that early childhood educators:
  • Are thoroughly grounded in child development knowledge and demonstrate strong observational and listening skills
  • Respect the Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice described by the College of Early Childhood Educators
  • Plan thoughtful and engaging learning experiences for children based on the skills, abilities, and interests demonstrated by the children
  • Are capable of working with all children and families
  • Establish and maintain collaborative, supportive relationships with children, their families, colleagues, community professionals, and other adults
  • Articulate their professional philosophy of education, learning and care, and demonstrate an awareness of legislative, ethical and professional expectations
  • Reflect upon their practices in order to consider how their actions support children and families
  • Require strong communication (oral and written) skills
  • Recognize the need for and seek out ongoing professional development experiences in support of life-long learning
  • Are warm, nurturing, flexible, respectful, and creative in their interactions with children and families
  • Promote development and learning in all aspects of the curriculum
  • Have respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion with regard to children, families, and colleagues
  • Promote evidence-based practices and program evaluation

Our Beliefs Applied to the ECE Program

We believe that Conestoga College's ECE Program incorporates the above philosophy into our preparation program by:
  • Accommodating individual situations, as appropriate for emerging adult learners
  • Encouraging and expecting students to develop behaviours necessary for the workforce and the ECE profession, including:  self-reflection, responsibility for self and own actions, honesty and integrity
  • Designing courses and experiences to support students in constructing knowledge about early learning and care in meaningful ways,
  • Modeling a variety of teaching styles, providing a variety of learning experiences, and by using a variety of evaluation methods
  • Modeling communication and problem-solving skills as well as professional behaviours and attitudes required of early childhood educators
  • Supporting the integration of theory and practice
  • Providing students with opportunities to connect theory and its application in combination with practical experience with young children
  • Facilitating students' understanding to enable them to "make sense" of their practical experiences in view of theory
  • Engaging students actively in their learning process
  • Recognizing and appreciating the different styles and approaches to learning that an emerging adult learner may use/exhibit (multiple intelligences)
  • Building on previous successes in order to enhance confidence of the student as a learner,
  • Supporting students as they develop their professional philosophy of education
  • Mentoring students as they proceed through their journey of becoming early childhood educators in both the classroom and through their field placement experiences
  • Providing students with opportunities to acquire experience with different age groups of children, and become familiar with different philosophies and styles of childcare operations
  • Providing students with opportunities to connect with a lab school through field and course work
  • Offering general knowledge and generic skills, in addition to specific vocational skills Endeavoring to support the ECE field and the local community, believing that learning is life-long and that early childhood educators play a vital role in our society

Our Beliefs about the Lab Schools

The lab schools provide:
  • An extension to a quality ECE post-secondary experience for students
  • An environment that supports a reflective, intentionally responsive philosophy
  • A model of quality, inclusive childcare for students in the ECE program and for the local community
  • An opportunity for students to observe and/or participate in a childcare centre that is based on the philosophy outlined by the ECE program
  • An environment where lab school staff, faculty and students work together to implement and evaluate new ideas in the field of ECE

Guidelines for Use of ECE Building and Classrooms

When you are in the ECE building, please remember that you are also sharing space with children and families. This space is also the children's learning environment, and it is essential that we all work together to make them feel valued, respected, and safe. When using the ECE space (for example to enter the bathrooms) wear your OneCard to assure families and childcare staff that you are a student. Specific COVID-19 pandemic protocols for entry and use of the ECE building and safety practices will be communicated. This may include but is not limited to: entry and exiting the building and designated classrooms, required PPE, safety practices, and approved use of common spaces. As an emerging early childhood professional, when you are in this space, please consider the following:

  • Be mindful of your language, both choice of words and tone.
  • Be considerate when walking through the halls and make every effort to minimize noise. This is especially important during rest time.
  • Unless you are directed by faculty or staff, do not enter any of the children's classrooms.
  • Unless you are directed by faculty or staff, do not enter the kitchen area.
  • Do not "hang out" in the children's playground area or the parking lot.
  • When you see children in the hallway, be friendly, but please do not engage or distract children from their activities.
  • Refrain from talking about the children in a voyeuristic kind of way i.e., "Oh aren't they cute?"
  • Do not bring any peanut products into the building as this is a PEANUT-SAFE facility.
  • No pictures of children are to be taken on personal cell phones or cameras.

Guidelines for Student Use of ECE Classroom 

  • Students must enter and exit classroom through ECE Classroom entrance.
  • No food or drink is permitted in the lab area of the room.
  • The materials from the lab must remain in the room.
  • Students may be in the room only when an ECE faculty is present in the room, or when authorization has been given.
  • Students are expected to show respect for the environment and equipment.  The lab is intended for educational, not recreational, use.
  • The room is to be left clean after each class (i.e. glue sticks must be washed and put away, the sink must be cleaned, tables must be washed, etc.).
  • Permission must be given by faculty to utilize any of the materials or equipment.
  • Be respectful of children, families and staff who are in the building.

Lockdown Procedure for ECE Building

A lockdown may only be authorized by the Incident Manager (Director of Safety and Security), their designate (Security, Safety and Parking Manager), Emergency Services or by Campus Security.
In the event that any of the Lockdown situations are communicated over the Public Address System, Hold and Secure, Shelter in Place or Violent Threat (Lockdown) all occupants of the ECE building will immediately:
  • Go to the nearest room or office.
  • Close the door and lock if possible.
  • Only barricade the door with tables and chairs in a Violent Threat Lockdown situation.
  • Close the blinds if the threat is outside the building but keep the blinds open if the threat is within the building.
  • Turn off lights and, if possible, cover the door windows and side panels.
  • Silence communication devices (cell phones).
  • Stay out of sight and keep quiet, as if no one is in the room.
  • DO NOT answer the door.
  • Listen for announcements from via the Public Address system.

For further information please refer to the Emergency Management Guide available at Security Services or on-line at the Security Services webpage.

Esthetician Program

Conestoga College School of Community Services has been given the mandate to prepare Estheticians. The province of Ontario expects the College to graduate Estheticians who meet the standards that have been established for the profession. These standards are to be applied in this program.

Attendance Standards

In view of the learning complexities of the Esthetician Program, it is imperative that students attend all classes and field placement as scheduled. Application of the required learning takes place in class, labs and placement. Students who are absent from class or field placement place themselves in academic jeopardy in meeting the learning objectives as stipulated by the program.

If extenuating circumstances require students to miss a class or field placement, please note that it is the student's responsibility to share this information with Faculty, field placement advisor, and/or field placement supervisor.

Additionally, all students are expected to arrive on time for classroom, lab, and field placements.

The School of Community Service’s approach to attendance requirements reflects the expectation that, as emerging professionals, students must demonstrate a professional attitude and attention to evaluations in the same manner that employees will require attention to workplace procedures.

In order to support student success, the faculty and staff will communicate evaluation and presentation dates at the beginning of each semester. Unplanned extenuating circumstances involving the college, the program or the Faculty that may require changes to the course schedule will be communicated to students.

In support of the development of professionalism, students are required to take all evaluations at the scheduled times. Students who make personal commitments that conflict with the evaluation dates or assignment deadlines do so at their own risk. There will be no special arrangements made for students with personal conflicts (e.g. work, family commitments or vacation plans). Academic accommodations are provided to students with documented disabilities through the Accessibility Services Office.

Your attendance for all evaluations is a requirement. If there is a concerning pattern of absence from evaluations across your program, you may be asked to meet with the Program Coordinator and/or Chair to discuss strategies for success.

Professional Appearance and Lab Dress Code

As an Esthetician Student in the lab or community setting your customers see you as a professional in your field. Your appearance can inspire confidence in your ability to care for their skin and nail needs. Neatness, cleanliness, conservative make-up, jewelry, and safety considerations all help create a look of competence, commitment, and professionalism. It is your responsibility to maintain this appearance. If you choose not to do this, your Professor/Lab Technologist may ask you to leave the area. Student uniforms must conform to the uniform policy of the institution in which students are placed. Please note that this policy applies to the clinical lab as well as field placement.

Lab Dress Code

  • Conestoga Esthetician lab coat – should be neat and clean
  • Closed toe shoes – as per Occupational Health & Safety Requirements
  • Hair tied back; if hair is long, then it must be up and secured
  • No rings, necklaces or dangly earrings
  • Studs may be worn in ears
  • A plain wedding band may be worn
  • Nails should be kept neat and short; artificial nails are not allowed. Polish can be worn as long as it is not chipped.
  • No hats to be worn (exceptions related to the Human Rights Code)
  • No denim, sweatpants or skirts and dresses

Student Use of the Esthetician Lab

The lab area for the Esthetician Program at Conestoga – Doon campus will serve as a space for students as well as future clients for training purposes.  In order to maintain these as safe professional spaces, appropriate dress must be worn. The purpose of the dress code is to ensure the safety of the student. The dress code is designed to comply with infection control procedures, workplace health and safety considerations and professional safety.

All lab areas are covered by this policy for all in-lab classes in the Esthetician Program. Non-compliance with this dress code will result in the person being asked to leave the lab area. (If it happens during scheduled lab time, this may result in a missed lab).

Food and Drink

No food or drink allowed in the Esthetician labs - only water.

Health & Hygiene

Please be reminded that the labs are a clinical setting, and as such, the requirement for proper hand washing/hygiene is in effect.

  1. Everyone must sanitize hands before entry.
  2. Everyone must wear gloves while performing the following services:
    • Pedicures
    • Manicures
    • Extractions
    • Waxing
  3. Disinfecting & Cleaning: The last 10-15 minutes of lab time will be allocated to a full lab clean and disinfection. 
  4. Safety goggles must be worn at all times when handling cleaning solutions and high-level disinfectants.
  5. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure laundry is properly separated, labeled and kept up during their lab time. Laundry should not be left in the washing machine.
  6. During winter months, indoor shoes must be worn inside the lab.
  7. Everyone must follow the posted protocols for cleaning and disinfecting tools and pedicure basins.
  8. When performing a skill for the first time, students must be supervised.
  9. Everyone must respect the space of the lab and ensure it is taken care of at all times. Logbooks for the sterilization of tools and pedicure basin disinfection must be completed and up to date every class and lab.
  10. All liquids in refillable bottles must be used completely, the bottles cleaned, dried and then refilled.  There is to be no "topping up" of liquids.
  11. All manicure clients must wash their hands before the service begins.
In the event of any injury or blood exposure, the incident must be reported to the Chair and an incident form must be completed by both faculty and student.  The incident forms can be found in the "Health and Safety" binder or online on the website. 

Pet Grooming Program

Conestoga College School of Community Services has been given the mandate to prepare and graduate Pet Groomers to enter the workforce. The Province of Ontario expects the College to graduate Pet Groomers who meet the standards that have been established for the profession. These standards are to be applied in this program.

Attendance Standards

The Pet Grooming Program is a hands-on, skills-based program in which learning is cumulative. Skills taught, practiced, and assessed in grooming labs build upon one another each week. As a result, attendance and active participation in all scheduled classes, grooming labs, and field placements are essential to student success. 

Grooming labs provide students with practical experience working on dogs and cats owned by community clients. Missing a lab means missing critical instruction, skill development, and assessment opportunities that cannot be fully replicated outside of the scheduled learning environment. The main grooming labs (Grooming I-IV) are condensed courses taking place over 7 weeks. This means that missing a single lab will put a student behind two weeks. Students who are absent may place themselves at academic risk and may be unable to demonstrate the competencies required for successful course and program completion.

Students are expected to arrive on time and fully prepared for all labs and field placements with their grooming kit, Conestoga smock, and appropriate clothing and footwear. Professionalism, punctuality, and preparedness are program expectations and reflect industry standards.

Grooming labs are long; typically, 5-8 hours with small breaks throughout the day.  It is vitally important that students ensure that they bring anything that they need for the day, including snacks and drinks, to help fuel your day.  Students are expected to stay for the entire lab and assist with salon cleanup and discharge of their pets. Given the nature of working with clients, and their animals, it is possible that students may have to stay late.   

Each grooming lab includes learning activities and assessments that contribute to the final course grade. Evaluation dates will be communicated at the beginning of each semester. Due to the sequential nature of the curriculum and the scheduling of client animals, make-up labs, field placement days, and alternative evaluation arrangements generally cannot be accommodated. Personal commitments, including work, family obligations, travel, or vacation plans, are not valid reasons for rescheduling evaluations.

If extenuating circumstances prevent attendance, students must notify their faculty member and/or field placement supervisor as soon as possible. Students should recognize that absences will affect scheduled animal appointments and inconvenience clients who have entrusted their pets to the program.

Attendance at all scheduled evaluations is required. A pattern of absence from classes, labs, field placements, or evaluations may result in a meeting with the Chair and/or Program Coordinator to discuss academic progress and strategies for success. Academic accommodations for documented disabilities are available through Accessibility Services.

Professional Appearance and Lab Dress Code

As a Pet Grooming student, you represent the profession to clients, peers, faculty, and the community. Professional appearance contributes to client confidence, animal safety, and a positive learning environment. Clients entrust their pets to your care and expect a high standard of professionalism.

Students are required to maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance in all grooming labs and field placement settings. The following dress code supports safety, hygiene, and industry expectations. Students who do not comply with the dress code may not be permitted to participate in lab or field placement activities.

Required Lab Attire

  • Conestoga-issued grooming smock
  • Conestoga name tag
  • Clean, comfortable, and professional clothing beneath the smock
    • No ripped clothing, hoodies, or excessively loose-fitting garments
    • Quick-dry clothing or scrubs are recommended for comfort in the grooming environment
  • Closed-toe, closed-heel, slip-resistant footwear, in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements
  • Hair must be clean and secured away from the face; long hair must be tied back

Jewelry and Accessories

For the safety of both students and animals:

  • Rings, necklaces, and dangling earrings are not permitted
  • Small stud earrings or close-fitting hoops may be worn, provided they do not present a risk of being caught by an animal
  • A plain wedding band is permitted

Failure to meet dress code requirements may result in exclusion from the lab or field placement until the issue is corrected. Missed learning activities or assessments resulting from non-compliance may not be eligible for make-up opportunities.

Student Use of the Animal Care Lab Spaces

The Pet Grooming labs and kennel areas at the Conestoga Doon Campus ATS Building are professional learning environments designed to support the development of industry-standard grooming skills. Students are expected to contribute to a safe, clean, and respectful environment for animals, clients, peers, and staff.

Students are responsible for using all equipment appropriately and responsibly by maintaining their workstations, and assisting with routine lab operations, including cleaning, disinfecting, laundry duties (washing, drying, and folding), and kennel maintenance. Respect for shared spaces and equipment is an essential professional expectation.

Safety orientations occur in the first 1-2 weeks of each grooming course, and it is critical that students attend these sessions and fully understand the safety requirements. These safety orientations are in place to ensure that both the student, and the pets that they work with, are safe. Students who do not attend and pass the safety evaluation will not be permitted to work with animals.

Students who disregard safety policies, lab procedures or faculty direction and therefore put animals, or themselves at risk, may be dismissed from lab.

Care and Welfare of Animals

Animal welfare is the highest priority in all Pet Grooming Program activities. Students are expected to actively participate in the care of animals while they are on campus, including:

  • Preparing and maintaining kennel spaces
  • Providing fresh water
  • Walking and monitoring animals
  • Performing general wellness observations
  • Promptly reporting any concerns regarding an animal's health, behaviour, or welfare to faculty or technologists

These responsibilities may occasionally require students to arrive early, stay after scheduled activities, or assist during designated breaks. Additional expectations will be communicated by faculty.

Any form of animal mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated. This expectation applies to all animals in the care of the College and at field placement locations. Any student who witnesses or suspects inappropriate treatment of an animal has a responsibility to report their concerns to a faculty member, Chair, or technologist immediately.

Reports of animal mistreatment will be investigated and documented. Consequences may include removal from lab or placement, failure of the course, and/or discontinuance from the program.

Food and Drink

Food and beverages are not permitted in Animal Care labs.

  • Water is permitted only in a sealed, spill-proof container.
  • Students requiring food during lab hours must consume it outside of the lab area during designated breaks.

Health, Safety, and Hygiene

Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment is a shared responsibility. Students are expected to follow all health and safety procedures, including:

  • Sanitizing hands before entering the lab
  • Practicing proper hand hygiene throughout all lab activities
  • Wearing masks, gloves, safety goggles, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed
  • Following all instructions related to infection prevention and biosecurity
  • Working under faculty supervision when performing a skill for the first time
  • Participating in the daily cleaning and disinfection of lab and kennel areas

The final 10 to 15 minutes of each lab will be dedicated to cleaning, disinfection, and preparation of the space for subsequent use.

All injuries, accidents, blood exposures, near misses, or safety incidents must be reported immediately to faculty and documented according to College procedures. Incident reporting forms are found online at Occupational Safety and should be completed with a faculty or technologist.

Students are expected to respect and care for the lab environment at all times, recognizing that professional standards of cleanliness, safety, and animal welfare are fundamental to success in the pet grooming industry.

Service Animals

Any student requiring a service animal while on campus must ensure that they follow the Conestoga College Student Service Animal Procedure and the Conestoga College Student Service Animal Policy.

Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program

Standards for Professionalism

Students are expected to meet knowledge and skills-based program standards, as well as to fulfil the moral and ethical obligations of members of the College community and of aspiring fire service personnel. This reflects the program's expectations of professional conduct.

Most often, the public is involved with the fire service during an unplanned crisis, which creates high levels of stress and confusion. During a crisis, the community expects from the fire service more than just the ability to mitigate the emergency. They also require fire service members to operate and perform their functions with a high standard of values, morals and attitudes. The public expects every firefighter to have the highly desired characteristics of integrity, compassion, and trustworthiness. Members of the public are not the only ones that have these high expectations. Fire service management, other emergency services, other city departments, and other firefighters also expect these personality characteristics. Firefighting is also very much a team effort. If any member of the team fails to perform, the entire team fails. Trust, competency and commitment are highly valued character traits in the fire service culture.

It is the school's responsibility to ensure that all students value these principles and display behaviour that is characteristic of these high standards of professional practice.

Attendance Standards

The program requires that you are available for class Monday through Friday from 0730 to 1700 hrs.

In view of the learning complexities of the Pre-Service Firefighter Program, you are strongly urged to attend ALL classes, labs and placement opportunities as scheduled. Students who are absent from class or lab place themselves in academic jeopardy in meeting the learning outcomes stipulated by the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM). The provincial standardized curriculum of the OFMEM specifies minimum content for the program.

Students are expected to arrive on time for all classes and labs. Attendance will be taken at the start of every class and lab in support of observing conduct consistent with professionalism and participation.

Participation is taken into consideration in calculating student grades in core courses as part of the "professionalism" marks allocation.

It is the sole responsibility of the student to make up for information not obtained due to an absence.

In case of a health problem or personal emergency that necessitates missing a class or being late for a class, the student must report their absence on the student portal and advise the faculty assigned to their class by email prior to commencement of the class in question.

For off-campus events/activities without a faculty member, the student is required to notify the agency contact and the Program Coordinator.

Work, sports (other than varsity) and participation or completion of other course requirements are not considered to be an "authorized absence". Due to the strenuous nature of the Firefighter Fitness course and practical fireground courses, a "return to work" doctor's note may be requested by the instructor before the student is allowed to resume classes.

Uniform Policy

The uniform will be worn in its entirety, and can only be purchased from the approved distributor (the Conestoga Bookstore).

Standard Uniform

The uniform will consist of:

  • Dark blue uniform shirt
  • Dark blue uniform cargo pant
  • Dark blue t-shirt
  • Black leather safety boots
  • Black or dark blue socks
  • Black web belt
  • Name badge
  • Black tie (only when specified by the Program Faculty/Staff)
  • Ball cap (only when specified by Program Faculty/Staff)

The name badge will be worn just above the right chest pocket, centered and level. The uniform must be kept neat and clean in appearance.

Winter Uniform

During cold weather, the uniform may also include the following additional items:

  • Dark blue ¼ zip sweatshirt
  • Dark blue uniform jacket
  • Dark blue toque

The uniform shall be worn in its entirety to, at, and from, every class and practical training session, and any other time as directed by the program coordinator with the following exceptions:

  • Shorts: When bunker gear is worn, it is acceptable to wear a pair of dark appropriate length shorts. It is not acceptable to wear sweat pants under the bunker pants. If shorts are not worn, then the uniform pant must be worn under the bunker pants.
  • T-shirts and ball caps: If the instructor grants approval to train in a t-shirt and/or ball cap, then the uniform shirt may be removed while working in the lab area or on the training ground only. The uniform shirt must be worn and the ball cap removed when leaving the lab area after class is finished.

Personal Hygiene

In addition to the uniform policy, the student shall maintain a professional appearance (e.g. clean shaven, appropriate haircut / style as required by Fire Service standards). A student that is not professional in appearance will not be allowed in the classroom and shall be responsible for all activities and information missed during that class.

Facility Use Guidelines

Use of the WREMS Building

The Conestoga Emergency Services Station (WREMS Building) is located adjacent to the ATS building and parking lot 10. This joint facility has a three-bay apparatus floor and is an operational Waterloo Region EMS ambulance station.  The east bay and living quarters comprise the Regional EMS station and are off-limits to students.

As a Pre-Service Firefighter student, you will have access to the two bays at the west end of the building. These two bays are shared with Conestoga's Paramedic Program.

Your practical Fireground training at Doon Campus is organized out of WREMS. The WREMS building must be treated as an operational firehall – the station must be maintained in a clean, organized, and secure condition at all times.

Use of the WRESTRC Complex

Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Complex (WRESTRC) is the Regional fire training facility located in Waterloo, available to all Fire Departments and emergency services (Police and EMS) within the region. There may be as many as ten agencies training at WRESTRC on the same day, so it is imperative that you respect all other users. Priority is always given to other in-service agencies as they are the primary users; we are fortunate that they share their facility with us.

There are a number of policies and procedures associated with the use of WRESTRC. A few important points that students need to be aware of include:
  • Personal protective equipment is to be worn on the training ground at all times (CSA approved footwear, safety glasses, helmets, and appropriate protective clothing as dictated by your instructors)
  • Safe work practices are to be followed during all training (follow the direction of your instructors)
  • Do not block roadways – emergency vehicles may be required to respond to an emergency from WRESTRC at any time
  • Except for the apparatus bay, no bunker gear is allowed in the Administration Building. (You must remove bunker gear to enter the locker room / washroom).
  • Parking – students are directed to park along the roadway before the administration building. Leave enough space for fire apparatus to drive in and out of the training grounds. Do not park on the fireground, driving track, or in the administration building parking lot. Obey the posted speed limit; regional bylaw enforcement officers may ticket you for speeding.
  • In keeping with Region of Waterloo policies, we encourage students to avoid the use of disposable plastic water bottles – please use a reusable water bottle

Security Investigation and Policing Programs

Professional Appearance

The industry standard for security investigations, policing and other public law enforcement agencies typically involves wearing a uniform for part, or all, of one's career. While private investigators do not wear uniforms, as a rule, many investigators start in the field of private security and investigators also need to feel comfortable wearing uniforms to blend into certain occupational roles as part of their undercover work.

To assist you in preparing for a career in your chosen field, you are required to wear a uniform while in the program. Wearing a uniform will help you:
  • Become used to one of the requirements of your chosen career
  • Cultivate a professional appearance and attitude
  • Explore and discover whether a career in this field right for you
  • Develop team cohesiveness, pride and profile
Your program uniform is part of the process of becoming a professional which starts with your first day in the program. You are not expected to be that fully fledged professional on day one. However, you are expected to strive for professionalism throughout your time in the program. This will help you be competitive in today's labour market, and to present as a preferred graduate for prospective employers.

PSI Uniform Standards

The uniform is an element of your program design and your participation in, and development within, your program. It shall be worn as directed and approved by the program. When worn, it should be worn correctly both in, and outside, of classes.

Some classes or courses may be exempted from the uniform requirement on a regular basis, with approval of the program; if so, this will be communicated to students as appropriate by the program. For example, in fitness classes, appropriate fitness clothing is to be worn during training and physical assessment/testing sessions. Students are encouraged, but not required, to wear their uniforms in their General Education and Communications courses.

Individual course faculty/instructors (full-time or part-time) have the discretion to permit you to attend class/events out of uniform for specific reasons as discussed and approved at the Program level by the Program Team and/or the Department Chair (e.g., fundraising events, documented accommodations).  

The approved uniform consists of:
  • Plain dark black business style casual pants (black jeans, jogging pants or leggings are not permitted);
  • Any* plain black shoes;
  • Any* plain black socks;
  • Any* plain black leather belt; 
  • with an Approved uniform top:
    • Duty polo shirt displaying the Conestoga College 'Protection, Security and Investigation' logo on the chest, which may only be purchased from the distributor (Conestoga College Bookstore) OR
    • 3/4 zip black fleece pullover/jacket with the program logo (available at the Conestoga College Bookstore OR
    • Official black Conestoga program hoodie (available at the Conestoga College Bookstore)

*The black pants, shoes, socks, and belt may be purchased from any vendor the student chooses

Hats, sunglasses, and ear buds for recreational listening are not to be worn while in class. Sunglasses are not to be worn in class nor placed on top of the head during class. This is consistent with the professional standards of the industry.


Please Note:
Professional appearance is an important part of the day-to-day work world for which students are preparing. The uniform must be kept neat and clean in appearance.

When students are in uniform they must act in a manner that will not bring the character of the Program or Conestoga College into disrepute.

Failure to abide by the uniform procedure may result in the application of progressive disciplinary measures, as the uniform is part of the program design.

Policing Program Uniform Standards

The uniform is an element of your program design and your participation in, and development within, your program. It shall be worn as directed and approved by the program. When worn, it should be worn correctly both in, and outside, of classes.

Some classes or courses may be exempted from the uniform requirement on a regular basis, with approval of the program; if so, this will be communicated to students as appropriate by the program. For example, in fitness classes, appropriate fitness clothing is to be worn during training and physical assessment/testing sessions. Students are encouraged, but not required, to wear their uniforms in their General Education and Communications courses.

Individual course faculty/instructors (full-time or part-time) have the discretion to permit you to attend class/events out of uniform for specific reasons as discussed and approved at the Program level by the Academic Team and/or the Department Chair (e.g., fundraising events, documented accommodations). 
 
The approved uniform consists of:
  • Plain dark black cargo style pants available from the Conestoga College Bookstore (black jeans or pants are not permitted); 
  • Any* plain black shoes; 
  • Any* plain black socks; 
  • Any* plain black leather belt; 
  • with Approved uniform top:
    • Uniform duty shirt displaying the Conestoga College 'Police & Security' insignia patches on each sleeve, and features Police Foundations Epaulettes which may only be purchased from the distributor (Conestoga College Bookstore) OR 3/4 zip black fleece pullover/jacket with the program insignia patch (available at the Conestoga College Bookstore) OR Official black Conestoga program hoodie (available at the Conestoga College Bookstore); Only approved Program-specific baseball caps are permitted to be worn with the uniform (available in the Conestoga Bookstore)


*The black pants, shoes, socks and belt may be purchased from any vendor the student chooses

During practice-based learning classes and labs, special events (e.g. field trips, agency visits, etc.) as well as guest lectures, students may be required to wear the approved uniform with duty shirt and possibly also with the approved black tie available from the distributor.

Hats, sunglasses, and ear buds for recreational listening are not to be worn while in class. Sunglasses are not to be worn in class nor placed on top of the head during class. This is consistent with the professional standards required by the respective professions.

Please Note:
Professional appearance is an important part of the day-to-day work world for which students are preparing. The uniform must be kept neat and clean in appearance.

When students are in uniform they must act in a manner that will not bring the character of the Program or Conestoga College into disrepute.

Veterinary Assistant Program

Conestoga College School of Community Services has been given the mandate to prepare and graduate Veterinary Assistants to enter the workforce. The Province of Ontario expects the College to graduate Veterinary Assistants who meet the standards that have been established for the profession. These standards are to be applied in this program.

Attendance Standards

The Veterinary Assistant Program is a hands-on, skills-based program in which learning is cumulative. Skills taught, practiced, and assessed in laboratories build upon one another throughout the semester. As a result, attendance and active participation in all scheduled classes, labs, and field placements are essential to student success.

Laboratory and placement experiences provide students with opportunities to develop and demonstrate the practical skills, clinical techniques, animal handling abilities, and professional behaviours required in the veterinary industry. Missing a class, lab, or field placement means missing critical learning experiences that cannot be fully replicated outside of the scheduled learning environment. Students who are absent may place themselves at academic risk and may be unable to demonstrate the competencies required for successful course and program completion.

Students are expected to arrive on time and fully prepared for all classes, labs, and field placements. Professionalism, punctuality, preparedness, and active participation are program expectations and reflect industry standards.

Evaluation dates will be communicated at the beginning of each semester. Most labs will have some form of evaluation each week that contribute to the final grade. Students are required to complete evaluations as scheduled. Personal commitments, including employment, family obligations, travel, or vacation plans, are not valid reasons for alternative arrangements, deferred evaluations, or rescheduled assessments. In most cases, students are required to pass both the theory and lab portions of a course, to achieve an overall passing grade in the course.

If extenuating circumstances prevent attendance, students must notify their faculty member, field placement advisor, and/or field placement supervisor as soon as possible.

Attendance at all scheduled evaluations is required. A pattern of absence from classes, labs, field placements, or evaluations may result in a meeting with the Chair, and/or Program Coordinator to discuss academic progress and strategies for success. Academic accommodations for documented disabilities are available through Accessibility Services.

Professional Appearance and Lab Dress Code

As a Veterinary Assistant student, you represent the profession and the College to clients, peers, faculty, and the community. Professional appearance contributes to client confidence, animal welfare, workplace safety, and a positive learning environment.

Students are required to maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance in all laboratories and field placement settings. The following dress code supports safety, hygiene, and industry expectations. Students who do not comply with the dress code may not be permitted to participate in lab or field placement activities.

Required Lab Attire

  • Conestoga white lab coat for diagnostic laboratories and surgery
  • Conestoga blue scrub top
  • Black scrub pants
  • Conestoga name tag
  • Clean, closed-toe, closed-heel, slip-resistant shoes, in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements
  • Hair must be clean and secured away from the face; long hair must be tied back

Jewelry and Personal Grooming

For the safety of both students and animals:

  • Rings, necklaces, and dangling earrings are not permitted
  • Small stud earrings or close-fitting hoops may be worn, provided they do not present a safety risk
  • A plain wedding band is permitted, however will need to be removed for certain activities
  • Nails must be short, clean, and well maintained
  • Nail polish is permitted if it is not chipped
  • Artificial nails are not permitted due to infection control concerns and potential interference with clinical and surgical exercises

Failure to meet dress code requirements may result in exclusion from the lab or field placement until the issue is corrected. Missed learning activities or assessments resulting from non-compliance may not be eligible for make-up opportunities.

Student Use of the Animal Care Lab Spaces

The Veterinary Assistant labs at the Conestoga Doon Campus ATS Building are professional learning environments designed to support the development of industry-standard veterinary assisting skills. Students are expected to contribute to a safe, clean, and respectful environment for animals, peers, faculty, and staff.

Students are responsible for using all equipment appropriately, maintaining their workstations, and ensuring that laboratory spaces are left clean, organized, and ready for subsequent use. Respect for shared spaces and equipment is a professional expectation.

Students may be provided access to designated open lab times to practice previously learned skills. Open lab sessions must be booked according to program procedures. Students are expected to cancel bookings they cannot attend so that the opportunity may be offered to others. Students who repeatedly fail to attend booked sessions may lose advance booking privileges.

Failure to follow lab procedures, safety requirements, or faculty directions may result in removal from the lab environment.

Care and Welfare of Animals

Animal welfare is the highest priority in all Veterinary Assistant Program activities. Students are expected to actively participate in the care of animals while they are on campus, including:

  • Preparing and maintaining kennel spaces
  • Providing fresh water
  • Walking and monitoring animals
  • Performing general wellness observations
  • Promptly reporting any concerns regarding an animal's health, behaviour, or welfare to faculty or technologists

Students may be required to participate in scheduled animal care duties throughout the program. These responsibilities may occasionally require students to arrive early, stay after scheduled activities, or assist during designated breaks.

Any form of animal mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated. This expectation applies to all animals in the care of the College and at field placement locations. Any student who witnesses or suspects inappropriate treatment of an animal has a responsibility to report their concerns immediately to a faculty member, Program Coordinator, or technologist.

Reports of animal mistreatment will be investigated and documented. Consequences may include removal from placement, failure of the course, and/or discontinuance from the program.

Food and Drink

Food and beverages are not permitted in Animal Care labs.

  • Water is permitted only in a sealed, spill-proof container.
  • Water bottles must be stored in designated cubby areas and not at workstations.
  • Students requiring food during lab hours must consume it outside of the lab area during designated breaks.

Health, Safety, and Hygiene

Veterinary Assistant laboratories are clinical environments. Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment is a shared responsibility, and students are expected to follow all health and safety requirements.

Students are expected to:

  • Perform proper hand hygiene before entering the lab and throughout all lab activities
  • Wear gloves, safety goggles, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed
  • Follow all infection prevention and biosecurity procedures
  • Clean and restore workstations, equipment, and laboratory scenarios following use
  • Wear indoor shoes during winter months
  • Work under faculty supervision when performing a skill for the first time
  • Respect and care for all laboratory spaces and equipment

Safety goggles must be worn when handling disinfectant concentrates or other chemicals as directed by faculty or technologists.

All injuries, accidents, needlestick injuries, animal bites, blood exposures, near misses, or safety incidents must be reported immediately to faculty or technologists and documented according to College procedures. Incident reporting forms are found online at Occupational Safety and should be completed with a faculty or technologist.

Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, professionalism, and animal welfare in all laboratory and field placement settings.

Service Animals

Any student requiring a service animal while on campus must ensure that they follow the Conestoga College Student Service Animal Procedure and the Conestoga College Student Service Animal Policy.


Veterinary Technician Program


Conestoga College School of Community Services has been given the mandate to prepare and graduate Veterinary Technicians to enter the workforce. The Province of Ontario expects the College to graduate Veterinary Technicians who meet the standards that have been established for the profession. These standards are to be applied in this program.

In addition, graduates of the Conestoga College Veterinary Technician program, are expected to become Registered Veterinary Technicians if remaining and employed in Ontario, by fulfilling the requirements set forth by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and/or the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

Attendance Standards

The Veterinary Technician Program is a rigorous, hands-on program in which learning is cumulative. Skills taught, practiced, and assessed in laboratories, simulations, and field placements build progressively throughout the program. Attendance and active participation in all scheduled classes, labs, and field placements are essential to student success.

Laboratory and placement experiences provide students with opportunities to develop and demonstrate the technical skills, clinical procedures, animal handling techniques, critical thinking abilities, and professional behaviours required of a Veterinary Technician. Missing a class, lab, or field placement means missing important learning experiences that cannot be fully replicated outside of the scheduled learning environment. Students who are absent may place themselves at academic risk and may be unable to demonstrate the competencies required for successful course and program completion.

Students are expected to arrive on time and fully prepared for all classes, labs, and field placements. Professionalism, punctuality, preparedness, and active participation are program expectations and reflect industry standards.

Evaluation dates will be communicated at the beginning of each semester. Students are required to complete evaluations as scheduled. Personal commitments, including employment, family obligations, travel, or vacation plans, are not valid reasons for alternative arrangements, deferred evaluations, or rescheduled assessments. Students are required to pass both the theory and lab portions of a course, to achieve an overall passing grade in the course.

If extenuating circumstances prevent attendance, students must notify their faculty member, field placement advisor, and/or field placement supervisor as soon as possible.

Attendance at all scheduled evaluations is required. A pattern of absence from classes, labs, field placements, or evaluations may result in a meeting with the Chair, and/or Program Coordinator to discuss academic progress and strategies for success. Academic accommodations for documented disabilities are available through Accessibility Services.

Professional Appearance and Lab Dress Code

As a Veterinary Technician student, you represent the profession to clients, peers, faculty, and the community. Professional appearance contributes to client confidence, animal welfare, workplace safety, and a positive learning environment.

Students are required to maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance in all laboratories and field placement settings. The following dress code supports safety, hygiene, and industry expectations. Students who do not comply with the dress code may not be permitted to participate in lab or field placement activities.

Required Lab Attire

  • Conestoga white lab coat for diagnostic laboratories
  • Conestoga purple scrub top
  • Black scrub pants
  • Conestoga name tag
  • Closed-toe, closed-heel footwear appropriate for a clinical environment
  • Hair must be clean and secured away from the face; long hair must be tied back
  • For some lab activities, clean coveralls (short or long sleeve) and steel toed boots (CSA approved) must be worn.  These items must be supplied by the student. 

Jewelry and Personal Grooming

For the safety of both students and animals:

  • Rings, necklaces, and dangling earrings are not permitted
  • Small stud earrings or close-fitting hoops may be worn, provided they do not present a safety risk
  • A plain wedding band is permitted, however will need to be removed for certain activities
  • Nails must be short, clean, and well maintained
  • Nail polish is permitted if it is not chipped
  • Artificial nails are not permitted due to infection control concerns and potential interference with clinical and surgical procedures

Failure to meet dress code requirements may result in exclusion from lab or field placement activities until the issue is corrected. Missed learning activities or assessments resulting from non-compliance may not be eligible for make-up opportunities.

Student Use of the Animal Care Lab Spaces

The Veterinary Technician labs at the Conestoga Doon Campus ATS Building are professional learning environments designed to support the development of industry-standard veterinary technical skills. Students are expected to contribute to a safe, clean, and respectful environment for animals, peers, faculty, and staff.

Students are responsible for using all equipment appropriately, maintaining their workstations, and ensuring that laboratory spaces are left clean, organized, and ready for subsequent use. Respect for shared spaces, equipment, and learning resources is a professional expectation.

Students may be provided access to designated open lab times to practice previously learned skills. Open lab sessions must be booked according to program procedures. Students are expected to cancel bookings they cannot attend so that the opportunity may be offered to others. Students who repeatedly fail to attend booked sessions may lose advance booking privileges.

Failure to follow lab procedures, safety requirements, or faculty directions may result in removal from the lab environment.

Care and Welfare of Animals

Animal welfare is the highest priority in all Veterinary Technician Program activities. Students are expected to actively participate in the care and husbandry of animals housed at Conestoga College, including:

  • Preparing and maintaining kennel and housing areas
  • Providing food and fresh water
  • Walking and exercising animals as appropriate
  • Monitoring animal health and behaviour
  • Performing general wellness observations
  • Maintaining accurate records as directed
  • Promptly reporting any concerns regarding an animal's health, behaviour, or welfare to faculty or technologists

As part of the program's accreditation requirements and graduation expectations, Veterinary Technician students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of animal care and husbandry duties throughout the program. These activities are an essential component of veterinary technician training and support the development of competencies required by the profession. Many of these hours will be completed within the Pet Grooming Salon, however some activities will be off-site at local farms, humane societies or other organizations. These opportunities will be scheduled and students are responsible for their own transportation.

Students will be assigned animal care and husbandry responsibilities throughout the program. To meet these requirements, students may be scheduled to arrive before regular class hours, remain after classes or labs, participate during designated breaks, or attend scheduled animal care shifts outside of their regular timetable. Students are expected to fulfill all assigned animal care responsibilities as scheduled, and must complete the 40 hours to graduate.

Any form of animal mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated. This expectation applies to all animals in the care of the College and at field placement locations. Any student who witnesses or suspects inappropriate treatment of an animal has a responsibility to report their concerns immediately to a faculty member, Program Coordinator, or technologist.

Reports of animal mistreatment will be investigated and documented. Consequences may include removal from placement, failure of the course, and/or discontinuance from the program.

Food and Drink

Food and beverages are not permitted in Animal Care labs.

  • Water is permitted only in a sealed, spill-proof container.
  • Water bottles must be stored in designated cubby areas and not at workstations.
  • Students requiring food during lab hours must consume it outside of the lab area during designated breaks.

Health, Safety, and Hygiene

Veterinary Technician laboratories are clinical environments. Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment is a shared responsibility, and students are expected to follow all health and safety requirements.

Students are expected to:

  • Perform proper hand hygiene before entering the lab and throughout all lab activities
  • Wear gloves, safety goggles, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed
  • Follow all infection prevention and biosecurity procedures
  • Clean and restore workstations, equipment, and laboratory scenarios following use
  • Wear indoor shoes during winter months
  • Work under faculty supervision when performing a skill for the first time
  • Respect and care for all laboratory spaces and equipment

Safety goggles must be worn when handling disinfectant concentrates or other chemicals as directed by faculty or technologists.

All injuries, accidents, needlestick injuries, animal bites, blood exposures, near misses, or safety incidents must be reported immediately to faculty or technologists and documented according to College procedures. Incident reporting forms are found online at Occupational Safety and should be completed with a faculty or technologist.

Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, professionalism, animal welfare, and ethical conduct in all laboratory and field placement settings.

Service Animals

Any student requiring a service animal while on campus must ensure that they follow the Conestoga College Student Service Animal Procedure and the Conestoga College Student Service Animal Policy.

Community Services Program Standards Guide